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Saturday, September 30, 2017

Merry Not Scary (Ten Things of Thankful)

The lack of much change in seasonal weather does not stop holidays and i am thankful for that, as well as for the fact that Little Girl does love decorating for Halloween.

These are Halloween things for which i am thankful:

Spiders just hanging around.

Funny pumpkins (the carved ones will come soon).

Candy for the Great Neighborhood Candy Exchange.

Our friend Batty.

Fun serving dishes.

Treat bags ready to be filled.

Toys to go in the treat bags.

Themed paper plates.

Our very friendly ghost.

Crazy rubber duckie.

Mini pumpkin lights.

Our friend the cat again.

The big candy bowl, ready to be filled.

Yet another spook.

Little Girl does everything she can to make this holiday fun, and i'm very grateful. Are there particular things for which you are thankful this season? List them and join up with Ten Things of Thankful, because counting your blessings is always worth it. Today is:

Agricultural Reform Day -- Sao Tome and Principe

Aloha Festivals Floral Parade -- Oahu, Hawai'i (part of the larger Aloha Festival celebrations this month and next on all the islands, celebrating native Hawai'ian culture)

Apple Festival -- Old Prairie Town, Topeka, KS, US (celebrating apples and Topeka's turn of the last century heritage; through tomorrow)

Blessing of the Fishing Fleet -- Church of Saints Peter and Paul and Fisherman's Wharf, San Francisco, CA, US (a festival today and tomorrow, with a blessing offered on the first Sunday of October each year)

Celtic Tree Month Gort begins (Ivy)

Dashain Festival -- Hindu (also called Dussehra, Dashera, Dasara, Phulpati/Fulpaati, or Navratri, a celebration of victory of Lord Rama over evil and a Festival of Dirva, wife of Shiva, and a time to go back home and reconnect with family, especially in Nepal and parts of India; official government holidays for this multi-day festival vary throughout India, Nepal, Bhutan, and other countries with large populations of Hindus)

Day of Liberation of the Republic of Abkhazia -- Abkhazia (disputed territory on the Black Sea)

Do Something Wacky With A Grandparent Day -- just not the monkey bars, please; old bones don't knit fast enough; whatever you do, take some pictures!

Durga Puja -- Hindu (celebration of the goddess Durga, final and biggest day of celebration)

Eldon Turkey Festival -- Eldon, MO, US (the top producer of turkeys has the top turkey festival in the world)

Eleusinian Mysteries -- Ancient Greek Calendar (the Greater Mystery Rites, date approximate; mystery rites of Demeter and Persephone at Eleusis, one of the most sacred times of their year)

Everybody's Day Festival -- Thomasville, NC, US (and they do mean there's fun for everybody)

Fall Astronomy Day -- Bringing Astronomy to the People (local astronomical societies, planetariums, museums and observatories sponsor public viewings, presentation, workshops, etc., to increase public awareness of astronomy and our amazing universe)

Saturday at or before the first quarter moon between mid-September and mid-October

'Monkey Bars Day!' I knew there was something in the air when I woke up this morning.... loved the description "...because the internet wants to kill us and let the machines that would never do anything so silly take over...'cellent oT!

I have quite a few Halloween and fall decorations that make their way out of the attic each September and adorn the house with signs of the seasons. Each has its own meaning. The life sized sewn scarecrow that hangs on the back door always surprises us when we come downstairs in the morning.

Thank you so much for this wonderful perspective on Halloween decorating and festivities. I was brought up to think of it as a fun time for children and never once was is connected to evil in our minds or our parents' minds. It saddens me that some have tried to frame it in darkness, and also that some adults have turned it into a festival of questionable morality. I love your decorations, your planning of treats and party goods, and the smiles that your photos generate. Enjoy October and three cheers for Little Girl and her stellar efforts! XOXO

I wait until the day comes and kids are on their way before any decorations go up. I still do like Halloween more than when I was young enough to take part in the main activity, as I was sensitive and didn't like the costumes or the face makeup. I've always loved candy though. Bring on Halloween. Sounds like loads of fun in your house.